Kiss cut stickers vs classic cut stickers

Stickers are a great way to bring your ideas to life and make an impact with your branding, marketing, or creative projects.

But there’s more than one type of sticker out there – kiss cut and classic cut stickers are the two most popular choices for customising your project. So what’s the difference?

Custom kiss-cut stickers offer versatility in shape and design while classic cut stickers provide perfectly square or round shapes that can be used for labeling products. Let's take a closer look at both types of stickers so you can decide which is right for you!

What is a kiss cut?

A kiss cut describes how your stickers are cut, not what material they are printed on. That means kiss cut stickers can be printed onto any material you can think of.

But the twist is in the cut: Kiss cut stickers are individually cut using a blade that literally only “kisses” the surface of the sticker material so the backing paper stays intact. This creates two parts to the sticker:

  • the peelable, custom-shaped part
  • the thru-cut border that remains

The image below shows that.

Holographic sticker kiss cut applied to a blue phone

What is a classic cut?

A classic cut sticker is the most common type of sticker you will see used as mailing stickers, address stickers, and other items with perfectly square or round shapes.

Just like kiss cut stickers, these classic shapes can use any material you want. It is just a more standard cut for which some printers use pre-made dies.

When to use which?

You might be wondering, why get kiss cut stickers? For companies or individuals looking for a more flexible and artistic approach when customizing their projects, products or brand, kiss cut stickers are a great option.

Kiss cuts offer the freedom to create unique shapes and designs that can be used for branding, marketing, or creative projects. And the border is a great additional canvas you can use to showcase your business information or social media handles.

On the other hand, classic cut stickers can be great for businesses or organisations that need perfectly square or round labels to apply to products and packaging.

As you can see, there is no one right way to use custom stickers. You can make any shape work in any setting, just as long as you stay true to your brand and choose high-quality materials.

What other cuts are available?

You can also get your stickers die cut or printed onto sheets.

Die cut stickers are one of your most popular sticker options. They are custom-cut stickers that are cut through the material layer and the backing paper, creating a custom shape for your entire sticker. Just like kiss cuts, die cut stickers are individually cut and can be printed onto any material you want.

Die cut holographic sticker with old school ice cream van design hand held


Sticker sheets offer another convenient option when it comes to customizing your project.
Sticker sheets allow you to include multiple copies of one design on one sheet or create a custom sheet with plenty of different designs, which can be perfect for inlays or giveaways.
Stickers printed onto sheets are also faster to apply than individually cut stickers, which can be a time saver when you have to apply hundreds at once.

Die cut eco-friendly gold sticker sheets with angry cat design one sticker applied to a silver phone

No matter what kind of sticker you decide to use for your project, understanding the differences between kiss cut and classic cut stickers can help you make a more informed decision. With these tips, you’ll be sure to find the perfect custom sticker option for your next project!
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